Industrialized building construction

ABSTRACT

The building construction employs precast elongated T&#39;&#39;shaped elements (T&#39;&#39;s) or T&#39;&#39;s and modified T&#39;&#39;s, i.e., half T&#39;&#39;s or inverted L-shaped elements. The T&#39;&#39;s are superposed one over the other in lateral and endwise juxtaposition to form a pair of adjacent ranks of T&#39;&#39;s and a plurality of endwise extending files of T&#39;&#39;s. The stems of the T&#39;&#39;s in side-by-side relation form opposite side walls of internal cells. The flanges of the T&#39;&#39;s form common floors and ceilings between superposed cells. One rank of T&#39;&#39;s is elevated with respect to the other rank to define splitlevel units. The splitlevel construction provides both vertically and horizontally interleaved units.

United States Patent H91 Paukulis I I45] Apr. 3, 1973 [54] INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION [76] lnventor: Visvaldis Paukulis, I76 Collins Road, Waban. Mass. 02168 [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 193,773

[52] US. Cl ..52/79, 52/236v [5 1] Int. Cl. ..E04h 1/04 [58] Field of Search ..52/79, 236, 237, 185

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,698,973 1/1955 Zeckendorf ..52/236 3,287,865 11/1966 Lockman ..52/79 3,513,607 5/1970 Renes ..50/79 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 417,039 l/l967 Italy ..52/79 Primary Examiner.lohn E. Murtagh Attorney-Robert E. Le Blanc et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The building construction employs precast elongated Tshaped elements (Ts) or Ts and modified Ts, i.e., half Ts or inverted L-shaped elements. The T's are superposed one over the other in lateral and endwise juxtaposition to form a pair of adjacent ranks of Ts and a plurality of endwise extending files of T's. The stems of the Ts in sideby-side relation form opposite side walls of internal cells. The flanges of the Ts form common floors and ceilings between superposed cells. One rank of Ts is elevated with respect to the other rank to define splitlevel units. The splitlevel construction provides both vertically and horizontally interleaved units.

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SHEET 13UF 13 INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates to an industrialized building system and particularly relates to a construction system employing generally T-shaped elements (hereinafter called Ts) and modified T's, i.e., half Ts or inverted L-shaped elements (hereinafter called modified Ts), which are uniquely configured and assembled to provide a novel building construction. The system is adaptable to those buildings, such as business or office buildings, residential buildings, such as apartments, dormitories, townhouses, etc., institutional buildings, such as schools, hospitals or the like, or any construction calling for a plurality of separate internal units and wherein it is particularly desirable to provide one or more of a plurality of discrete units within the building with areas or rooms at different elevations. That is, with the novel configuration and arrangement of the Ts or Ts and modified Ts as set forth herein, a building having multiple, vertically interleaved, splitlevel units is provided.

In prior applications Ser. Nos. 807,217 and 80,540 of common assignee herewith, there are disclosed industrialized building systems employing building elements in the form of T and Channel shaped elements an T elements, respectively. Those systems provide substantially improved industrialized construction with a degree of structural and architectural flexibility vastly beyond that obtainable with theretofore known techniques. The constructionsystem disclosed in the present application is a variation of the systems disclosed in the aforementioned applications.

It has long been desirable to provide various types of buildings, for example, high or low rise apartment houses, townhouses, garden type apartments, office and institutional buildings, etc., with discrete units having areas or rooms at different elevations, i.e., a splitlevel construction. While it has long been the practice to horizontally divide each discrete unit of a multiple unit building by partition walls to, thereby segregate the functional areas of the particular unit one from the other, it is also functionally and aesthetically desirable to segregate such areas one from the other in a vertical direction, i.e., to provide a multiple level unit. Further,

splitlevel construction offers a flexibility in design,

which is highly desirable. Various buildings have been proposed and constructed in the past having splitlevel functional units. However, and I to applicant's knowledge, those constructions utilize conventional building techniques and materials such as steel or poured-in-place concrete, but such conventional construction is expensive for multi-unit splitlevel buildings, particularly where optimum use of space by inclusion of room and balcony projections in the form of substantial cantilevered overhangs is contemplated.

Industrialized building systems have been proposed and utilized in the past. However, great difficulties attend the application of known industrialized building systems, other than those disclosed in the aforementioned applications, to the construction of splitlevel buildings. Due to the large number and variety of the functional areas required, the different elevations and space requirements of such areas, etc., in a splitlevel construction structural integrity and stability utilizing prefabricated modules typical of known industrialized building systems appear obtainable only at a cost in excess of the building costs utilizing conventional techniques and materials. For example, the

prefabricated modules .of known industrialized building systems, other than those of the aforementioned applications, lack the functional versatility and flexibility necessary for adaptation to splitlevel construction, and the greater variety of modules required would not justit'y the substantial capital investment in equipment, etc., necessary. In short, savings in time, labor and expense resulting from application of known industrialized building systems to splitlevel construction (and which savings are the primary justification for use of such systems) appear to be non-existent.

In contrast to the foregoing, the present invention constitutes an industrialized building system for splitlevel construction and to which system accrues the savings in time, labor and expense characteristic of known industrialized building systems. The present splitlevel construction system uniquely provides two primary building blocks which can be readily and easily modified and adapted whereby functional versatility and flexibility in the design of the building is available. More particularly, the present invention constitutes a novel and improved configuration and arrangement of Ts and modified Ts as described and illustrated in the aforementioned prior'applications particularly adapted to splitlevel construction. In accordance with the disclosures of those applications, there are provided a plurality of Ts or Ts and modified Ts. These elements comprise the primary structural elements of a splitlevel building according to the present invention. The basic T comprises an elongated stem having flanges extending laterally from the stem and from an elongated edge thereof. The T may also include a facade adjacent its end and which facade lies in a plane normal to planes containing the stem and flanges. The basic modified T comprises a half T or inverted L-shaped element having an elongated stem and a flange extending laterally from one side of the stem and from an elongated edge thereof. Themodified T may also include a facade arranged similarly as in the case of the T. In utilizing the Ts, the basic spacial area formed is the cell. To form a cell, Ts are placed in side-by-side relation with the stems of the Ts forming the oppositely disposed side walls of the cell. The butting flanges of the laterally adjacent Ts form common ceilings and floors for superposed cells. Thus, by superposition of T's in columns laterally adjacent one another, a plurality of laterally and vertically spaced cells are provided. Interior partition walls are then added later to further define the rooms or areas within the cells as required.

The T's and modified Ts are precast of concrete in forms provided at the construction site similarly as disclosed in the aforementioned applications and, are lifted directly from the forms to erect the building structure. The forms are identical one with the other and are used to cast'both Ts and modified Ts and which elements'form internal cells of the building as well as the hallways, elevator towers and lobby construction where applicable. For example, to form a modified T, one of the flanges of the form is blocked off. Also, the forms are adjustable to provide variations in length, width and height for the Ts and modified Ts in accordance with the particular design. Specifically, various areas of the forms forming the flanges, stems, and facades of the Ts can be blocked out. For example, the area of the form for casting the end of astem and its facade can be blocked out whereby the end of the stem can be inset from the end of the T. In this manner, the cantilevered flange or flanges may serve as a balcony, overhang or the like. The ends of the flanges may also be inset from the end of the stem and along various lines in accordance with a particular building design. Other variations of the T and modified T will become apparent from the ensuing description.

Electrical wiring, outlets and switches are integrally cast with the Ts and modified Ts, thus eliminating the need for later costly and time consuming installation. Piping or ducting for heating, ventilating, air conditioning or the like are also integrally cast in the stems and/or flanges of the Ts.

The present invention primarily comprises variously configured Ts or Ts and modified Ts particularly arranged to provide a building construction containing a plurality of splitlevel units, many or all of which units have cells at two or more levels and in communication one with the other thereby providing vertically interleaved units. The splitlevel building construction hereof more particularly provides discrete units vertically interleaved or both vertically and horizontally interleaved one with the other in accordance with a particular building design.

In the simplest form of vertically interleaved units in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of TS are arrange'in side-by-side relation to form a row or rank of Ts (the ends of the ranks being preferably closed by modified Ts), theTs, as previously noted, defining a plurality of horizontally spaced cells. A second rank of Ts comprising columns of two Ts each arranged in side-by-side relation one with the other (the opposite ends of the second rank being closed by columns of two modified Ts each) to form two superposed rows of horizontally spaced cells are disposed in endwise relation to the first rank of Ts. The endwise related Ts of the first and second ranks define a plurality of laterally spaced files of Ts, two Ts deep. The endwise related cells of the first and second ranks define a plurality of laterally spaced files of cells, two cells deep. The first and second ranks are vertically displaced a half-story or a full level relative to one another with the first rank lying intermediate the height of the second rank. Thus, the cells of the like files lie at different elevations. Stairways interconnect selected ones of the lower row of cells of the second rank with the endwise aligned cells of the first rank. Likewise, stairways interconnect selected ones of the cells of the first rank with the endwise aligned upper row of cells of the second rank. Selected laterally adjacent cells may also lie in communication one with the other through openings or doors provided through the T stems. Access to the cells can be provided along either or both sides of the building. Internal communication between laterally and/or endwise related cells is, of course, selective depending upon the particular building design including the location and size of the various units within the building. The foregoing structure can be described in a shorthand manner as a two rank, three level, structure having n T files (where n represents the number of T s and modified Ts'in a specified-row) with n-l cells in each row and a total of three x (n-l) cells.

Additional rows of Ts and modified T's can be superposed over each of the foregoing described rows to provide first and second ranks of Ts and modified Ts, each having a plurality of superposed rows of Ts and modified Ts. By providing communication between selected cells of one rank with the endwise aligned cells of the other rank in like files of one or both of the adjacent levels, it will be apparent that superposed units, each having two or more levels, can be provided, the units thus described being vertically interleaved.

For splitlevel multi-story or high rise construction, it will be appreciated that the rank on one building side is displaced vertically a half-story or full level relative to the other rank for the full building height. Access to the various splitlevel units can be provided by corridors along opposite sides of the building or by central corridors, the corridors communicating with I elevator towers or stairways at one or both ends of the building or centrally of the building depending upon the particular building design. It will be appreciated that the central or outside corridors need not be located at each building level but may be located, for example, at every four levels. More particularly, where outside corridors are utilized, the corridors may be spaced up to eight levels one from the other on each of the opposite sides of the building with each corridor vertically displaced relative to any other corridor. Various other access arrangements can be provided in accordance with a particular building design as will be apparent from the ensuing description.

In the simplest form of horizontal interleaved units, a unit extends from one side of the building to the other and has a room or cell which extends laterally behind a like room or cell forming a part of a laterally adjacent unit. More particularly, horizontal interleaving is provided where a unit extends from one side' of the building to the other, i.e., extends for a full two ranks, and has a cell which lies in the same file as a cell which forms a part of a laterally adjacent unit. It will .be appreciated that both vertical and horizontal interleaving of the various units forming the building construction can be accomplished utilizing the Ts or T's and modified Ts depending upon the particular design desired.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an adaptation of the industrialized building system of the above identified patent application particularly useful in splitlevel construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel industrialized building system providing for larger rooms and balconies projecting substantially beyond the vertical face of the building.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved industrialized building system utilizing T and modified T shaped elements uniquely juxtaposed to form a splitlevel building.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel industrialized building system particularly useful for splitlevel construction wherein the functional units within the building are vertically interleaved or vertically and horizontally interleaved in accordance with a particular building design.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide-a novel splitlevel building construction wherein the advantages and savings in time, labor and cost of industrialized building systems are obtained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a T and a modified T utilized as the basic building elements for the building construction herein;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic side and end elevational view of a building illustrating the relative arrangement of the Ts and modified Ts and the terminology used in describing the present invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are fragmentary enlarged cross sectional views illustrating the connections between superposed Ts and the flanges of laterally adjacent Ts respectively;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are respective rear and front elevational view of a building constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the building illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view thereof taken generally about on line 77 in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8, 9 and are cross sectional views thereof taken generally about on lines 8-8, 99, and 10-10, respectively, in FIG. 6; 7

FIGS. 11a and [lb are respective elevational views of a splitlevel building schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 and taken about on lines lla-lla and llb-llb in FIG. 12;

FIG. 12 is a schematic end elevational view of a splitlevel building constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a chart keyed to FIGS. 11a and 11b disclosing the various types and features of the various units comprising the building illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14a-14I are perspective views of the Ts forming a four bedroom apartment unit in the building depicted in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a schematic side elevational view of the four bedroom apartment illustrated in FIG. 19 illustrating its circulation pattern;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are plan views of the various levels comprising the four bedroom apartment and illustrating the disposition of the Ts illustrated in FIGS. l4a-l4 in assembled relation;

FIGS. 18a and 18b are floor plans of the various levels of the four bedroom apartment illustrated in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 19a and 19b are perspective views of the various Ts comprising the four bedroom apartment and arranged at levels L1, L2 and L3, 14 respectively; and

FIGS. 2026 are schematic representations of the circulation patterns of the apartment and plan views as applicable of a particular floor plan, the Figure at (a) in each of FIGS. 20-26 indicating the circulation pattern and the Figure at (b) and (c) in FIGS. 20-26 illustrating the floor plans.

To facilitate description of the various embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology is used throughoutthis specification:

LIST OF DEFINITIO NS tending along opposite sides of the stem and along an elongated edge thereof. T also designates this basic building element wherein its stem and/or one or both of its flanges are modified as necessary in accordance with a particular building design and wherein the stem and flanges are provided with a facade;

Modified T denotes a half-T having a stem and a flange extending along an elongated edge and to one side. Modified T also designates this basic building element wherein its stern and/or flange is modified as necessary in accordance with a particular building design and wherein the stem and flange are provided with a facade;

Facade denotes a wall panel selectively integrally formed 'with the T and/or modified T and located adjacent an end portion of these elements in a plane generally normal to the planes containing the stem and flange or flanges;

Cell constitutes the space defined (a) horizontally between the stems of laterally adjacent Ts or between the stems of a T and a laterally adjacent modified T, and (b) vertically between the opposed flanges of the Ts or a T and a modified T and a floor for the cell defined by the flanges of underlying laterally adjacent T's or a-T and modified T or other suitable horizontal structure serving as a floor; (See FIGS. 2a and 2b) Unit denotes the one or more spaces defined within .a building which serve a particular functional purpose and which space may comprise one or more cells. For example, ina high-rise, low-rise, garden or other type apartment building, unit denotes each apartment without reference to the number of cells or rooms contained within the apartment;

Room denotes a discrete space within a unit and which may be (a) coincident with a cell, or (b) consist of a space larger or smaller than a cell. A room may be defined (a) in part or in whole by partition walls not part of the walls formed by the basic T and modified T elements, or (b) solely by Ts and/or modified Ts, or (c) by combinations of Ts, modified Ts and/or partition walls;

Level denotes generally the elevation of the various cells relative to one another. In the following description, level signifies the level of a floor of a specified cell relative to the floor level of a cell at a different elevation with adjacent levels being spaced a vertical distance equal to one-half the height of a T or a half-story; (See FIGS. 2a and 2b) Story denotesthe vertical distance from one floor to the next vertically superposed floor and herein corresponds to the height of the Ts andlor modified Ts;

Row denotes a'plurality of Ts or Ts and modified Ts disposed in side-by-side relation with their stems lying in different planes.

Column denotes a vertical superposition of two or more Ts or modified Ts with their stems lying in a generally common plane;

File denotes one or more columns viewed endwise lying generally in a common plane. File also denotes the endwise related cells definedbetween two adjacent files of T's, two Ts deep; (See FIG. 2a)

Rank denotes two or more rows of superposed Ts or Ts and modified Ts. Rank also denotes a single row of Ts where that side of the building constitutes a single story; (See FIG. 2a)

Bath Module denotes a preformed structural unit containing bathroom fixtures and defining walls forming a part of the bathroom;

Stairway Module denotes a preformed structural unit containing one or more stairways for providing access between cells at different levels.

As noted above, the systemized industrialized building construction system of the present invention employs a basic element, the T, and a modified T, where applicable. In various arrangements and configurations as hereinafter amplified, the Ts and modified Ts are utilized in each of the building constructions according to this invention as the primary structural support. As noted hereinafter, one or more special purpose preformed modules, such as bathroom modules, in conjunction with certain wall partitions are utilized to complete the building. Several different building designs in accordance with the basic principles of the present invention are shown and described herein, these being illustrative of only a few variations of the many possible building designs utilizing essentially the T and modified T construction and arrangement disclosed herein.

These basic elements are illustrated in perspective in FIG. 1 and comprise an elongated T designated 2 having a vertical stem 3 and a pair of flanges 4 and 5 extending substantially normal to the stem 3 along opposite sides of the latter. The T may also optionally include a facade 7 normal to the planes containing the stem 3 and flanges 4 and 5. The modified T is designated 6 and" comprises a half-T or inverted L having a stem 8 and a flange to one side of the stem. The modified T may also include a'facade 9 similarly as in the T. The modified Ts are utilized to form the ends of the buildings, hallways and elevator towers where applicable in a particular building design. The basic and modified T's in their various assemblages provide structural support for the building as well as exterior facades and interior partition walls in accordance with a particular building design. Of special significance is the fact that the Ts and modified Ts constituting the building blocks of the present system are of such dimensions that these elements per se form full sized side and end walls, floors and ceilings of the cells. In other words, the Ts and modified Ts are of minimum height, width and length sufficient to comprise the structural walls dividing the building into separate units together with connecting hallways and the like as necessary whereby the T and modified T assemblage per se define walls, ceilings and floors forming cells suitable for human occupancy and/or movement. Particularly, the stems 3 and 8 of the Ts and modified Ts respectively extend substantially the entire distance between the floor and ceiling of the cells defined thereby sufficiently to at least accommodate a human being in an erect position standing on the floor, or at least a vertical distance of 7 feet.

Referring to FIGS. 20, the opposed stems 3 of sideby-side juxtaposed Ts and the stems 8 of the modified Ts define the side walls of the cells while the flanges 2 and 4 of laterally adjacent superposed Ts and the flanges 10 of the superposed modified Ts form the common ceilings and floors form vertically superposed cells. The stems preferably extend vertically about 8 feet and the flanges may extend laterally selected distances from the stems to form cells of various widths, for example, to provide a room width of about 12 feet as desired. The Ts and modified Ts are formed of concrete.

To secure the stem of a superposed T to the stem of an underlying T, reference is made to FIG. 3a wherein a plurality of longitudinally spaced plates 20 are integrally cast in the top of the T medially between the opposite lateral edges thereof, and in vertical alignment with the stem 3. Preferably, plates 20 lie flush with the upper=face of the T. As illustrated, a plurality of rods 22 having heads 24 may be welded or otherwise secured-to plates20 to anchor them to the T. Supports, generally indicated 26, are spaced along the lower edge of each T stem 3, each support comprising a plate 28 welded or otherwise secured to the upper end of a vertically extending cylindrical coupler 30. Coupler 30 is internally threaded to receive a bolt 32 about which is threaded a lock washer 34 and lock nut 36 whereby bolt 32 can be threaded into and locked in selected axial positions relative to coupler 30. Each bolt 32 extends from coupler 30 within a recess 38 formed through the lower edge of the T stem 3 whereby access to bolt 32, lock nut 36 and the bolt head 40 is obtained from either side of stem 3 during construction of the building. When the Ts are superposed, the bolts 32 are threaded to extend from the lower edge of stem 3 and are tack welded to plate 20 on the underlying T. Grouting indicated at 42 is applied between the stem edge and the upper face of the underlying T and the bolt is then relieved such that the weight of the superposed T is distributed along the grout to the underlying T.

To join the flanges of the laterally adjacent Ts one to the other, a plurality of connectors may be integrally cast with the Ts. For example, a plurality of angle brackets illustrated in FIG. 3b at 46 are disposed intermediate the vertical extent or thickness of flanges 4, 5 and 10. Preferably, brackets 46 are disposed intermediate the vertical extent or thickness of the T or modified T flanges with the flange 48 of each bracket 46 lying flush along the lateral edges of the T flanges.

Reinforcing rods 50 in the flanges of the T are joined with the brackets as by welding to maintain the brackets in proper position. When the Ts are aligned in side-by-side relation, a plate 52 is welded to the laterally aligned brackets and the recessed area is filled with grout indicated at 54. Similar connections may be provided between the butting stems of T's in a common file as are provided between the flanges of the Ts in a row. Other and different connections between the stemsot the Ts and the flanges of the Ts may be provided, the foregoing being descriptive of but one of a plurality of different types of connections which may be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, there is disclosed a splitlevel building construction formed principally of T's, modified Ts and certain other building modules to be described. This particular building design comprises a six unit apartment structure including two efficiency units, two three bedroom units and two'four bedroom units. These units are designated by the. dashed lines and identified as units Ul-U8. In accordance with the foregoing definitions, this building can be described in shorthand as a two rank, five level, structure having both vertical and horizontally interleaved units with I nine files and eight cells per ro of T and modified T elements. As illustrated in- FIGS. 4, 6 and 7,v columns of three superposed T.s each are disposed in side-by-side relation one to the other to form three superposed rows of Ts which, in turn, define a longitudinally extending rank of Ts, RI. As will be appreciated, the T's at each elevation define cells with the stems of the adjacent Ts, the butting flanges of the adjacent Ts forming common ceilings and floors for the superposed cells. Each end of rank Rl is closed in by a column of modified Ts. The superposed and laterally adjacent Ts are connected one to the other in the manner previously described.

Turning now to FIGS. 3', 5, 6 and 7, Ts are superposed one over the other and arranged in side-by-side relation to form two superposed rows. of TS which, in turn, define a rank of Ts. The ends of the rank R2 are closed by columns of modified Ts. The Ts forming rank R2 are disposed in endwise alignment with corresponding T's forming the rank R1 whereby nine files of T and modified T's and eight files of cells as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 are formed. To provide a splitlevel construction, the Ts forming rank R2 are elevated with respect to the Ts forming rank R1 such that the distance between the flanges of the TS in rank R2 and the next adjacent flangesof the T's'in rank R1 is one full level, i.e., one-half story or half the heightof a T. Rank R2 is arranged to lie intermediate the full height of rank R1. The cells of rank RI selectively communicate with the endwise aligned cells of rank R2 at the next adjacent level as will become apparent and in accordance with the particular building design.

In the design illustrated, five cells C1-C5 are defined between each of the adjacent files of Ts and modified- Ts. Each unit is comprised of two or more cells. In FIG. 4, the cell files are labelled F1-F8 from right to left. The cells in each file are in numerical order from the bottom level L1 to the top level L5 with the cells bearing odd numbered level designations lying the the first rank R1 while even numbered level designations lie in the second rank R2. Thus any cell can be identified and located in the building by a combination of level, file and unit designations. For example, the cell at the rear of the building in cell file l and level I and which cell forms a part of unit U1 as identified as LlFlUl. The followingtable thus identifies the cells of each unit with the number following the letter L indicating both the rank and level of the cell and the file number indicating its position from an end of the buildng Efficiency Apt.

The cell designation having a suffix consisting of the letter P & G indicates that the cell at that level and file isused for parking and a garden area respectively.

It'will be appreciated from a review of FIGS. 4 and 5 that units U1 and U2 are vertically interleaved one with the other. Unit U6 and unit US are also vertically interleaved one with the other. Units U1 and U2 are, horizontally interleaved and units U 5 and U6 are also horizontally interleaved. Note that units U1 and U6 lie on levels L1 and L2 whereas units U2-U5 lie on levels L2-L5. Thus, units U1 and U6 may be termed duplex apartments while units U2-U5 may be termed multilevel apartments.

To provide communication between the cells at the various levels in each unit, the cells in adjacent levels in each file where such adjacent cells form a part of a single unit communicate one with the other by stairways. For example, the cells LlFl and L2Fl forming unit UI communicate one with the other via a stairway designated 60 in FIG. 8. The cell L2F2 communicates with cell L3F2. (FIGS. 8 and 9) of unit U2 by a stairway designated 62. Cells L3F1 and L4F1 of unit U2 communicate one with the other by a stairway 64 while cells L4F2 and L5F2 communicate one with the other via astairway 66 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Laterally adjacent cells of a particular unit, for example, cells L'3Fl and L3F2 of unit U2 in FIG. 9 lie in communication through one or more doorways designated 68. The stairways 62, 64, 66 and 68. may be provided in performed modules. I

Precast bathroom and kitchen modules are also provided. For example, in FIG. 8, there is disclosed a bathroom module, generally designated 70, comprised of a back wall 72, side walls 74 and 76, and a ceiling 78. The side walls 74 and 76 extend beyond back wall 72 to provide a readily accessible plumbing chase 80. Likewise, kitchen modules may be provided. For example, and referring toFIG. 9, there is disclosed a kitchen module, generally designated 82, which in this form comprises a kitchen doublet or a pair of kitchens arranged in side-by-side relation. The kitchens have a common back wall 84, side walls 86and 88 at opposite ends, an intermediate wall portion 90 segregating the module intotwo separate kitchens, and'a ceiling. The side walls 86 and 88 and intermediate wall 90 extend beyond back wall 84 to provide a readily accessible plumbing chase 92. It will be appreciated from a review of FIG. 9 that the illustrated kitchen module 82 serves both units U2 and U3 and may be backed against'a similarly formed bathroom module forming a part of units U2 and U3. Particularly, the bathroom module in FIG. 9 may also be a doublet comprised of a back wall 94, side walls 96 and 98, an intermediate wall 100 segregating the module into two discrete bathrooms and a ceiling.'Again, the side and end walls project beyond the back wall todefine with the kitchen modules a plumbing chase -92. Thus, it will be appreciated thateither bathroomor kitchen modules can be provided in singles or doublets as the building design requires. Note that the bathroom, kitchen and stairway modules comprise substantially the central portion of the building.

It will be appreciated that the building is formed of Ts and modified T's. For example, and referring to FIG. 8, the end walls of the building are provided by columns of modified Ts with the end wall 74 of the bathroom module being disposed between the ends of the Ts. The module lies at a like level as the cell it serves. The dividing wall between cells LlFl and L1F2P is provided by the stern of a T in rank R1. The dividing wall between cells L2F1 and L2F2 is also provided by the stem ofa T in rank R2, the stems of the T's in ranks R1 and R2 being in end-to-end alignment though vertically displaced a half-story or full level one from the other.

It will be appreciated that the Ts and modified Ts are themselves modified. For example, the Ts and modified Ts can be readily provided in shorter or longer lengths as desired, with or without facades, with cantilevered projections extending beyond the end of the stem, with one flange inset from the end of the other, and in various other modifications in accordance with a particular building design. For example, referring to FIG. 9, cells L4F2 and L4F3 extend horizontally outwardly beyond the adjacent cells L4F1 and L4F4. It will be appreciated that these cell extensions are provided by making the stems and flanges of the Ts defining those cells (also including the flanges of the underlying Ts) longer than the standard Ts. For example, in FIG. 8, a T stem is indicated at 110, the T having flanges 112 and 114 illustrated in FIG. 9. The T whose stem is designated 116 in FIG. 8 has flanges 118 and 120 in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated from a review of these figures that the stem 110 has been inset from the end of the flanges 112 and 114 to provide an overhang. Also, the flange 129 of the T between cells L2F3 and the garden area designated G has been inset from the end of the flange 118, the stem 116 lying coterminously with the end of flange 118. Thus, various overhangs and cantilevered flanges can be provided in accordance with the particular building design merely by insetting the stems and/or insetting one or more of the ends of the flanges of a particular T. The foregoing represents only a few of the various T configurations which can be utilized to form a splitlevel construction in accordance with the present invention.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 11-13, there is shown a splitlevel building construction comprised of a plurality of endwise and laterally juxtaposed Ts and modified Ts to form ranks of Ts and modified Ts R1 and R2. The building illustrated may be described as a two-rank, l-level structure having 13 files of Ts and modified T's with 12 cells defined thereby in each level in each rank. The TS and modified T's forming this building are superposed, and laterally and endwise juxtaposed similarly as in the previous described embodiment with the Ts and modified Ts suitably modified to form a plurality of apartment units, 24 units being illustrated.

Referring to the chart comprising FIG. 13, it will be noted that the apartment units may comprise one, two, three and four bedroom units or efficiency units with one or more of the units having certain features such as room and balcony projections. The T's and modified T's are thus assembled and modified in order to form the various cells comprising the individual apartment units and the various features thereof. The apartment units of building are numerically designated in the first column of the chart illustrated as FIG. 13 and are keyed to the cells illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 11b with like numeral designations preceded by the prefix U whereby the cells comprising the various apartment units are identified. It will be appreciated from a review of FIGS. 11a, 11b and 12, that an individual unit is defined by cells on opposite sides of the building, that is, one or more cells in each of ranks R1 and R2. For example, it will be noted in FIGS. 11b that apartment unit U9 is defined in part by cells L3F6, L5F6 and LSFS. Apartment unit U9 is also defined in FIG. 11a on the opposite side of the building by cells L4F5, L4F6, L6F5 and L6F6. Thus, it will be appreciated that apartment unit U9 comprises four levels L3-L6 of the building structure 100 and spans the entire width of the building. The floor plan for apartment unit U9 is illustrated in FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 18, cell L3F6 of apartment unit U9 level 3, its lowest level cell, includes an entryway 102 and a laundry room 104. The floor plan for level 3 also includes a bathroom 106. Stairway 107 communicates between cell L3F6 with the cells L4F6 and L4F5 on the next level. These latter cells define a kitchen and dining area and a living room respectively. The cells on level L4 communicate with the cells L5F6 and LSFS on the next level via a stairway 112. These latter cells define respective bedrooms 114 and 116. The cells L5F6 and LSFS communicate with the cells L6F6 and L6F5 on the next and final level via a stairway 118, these cells define a second set of bedrooms 119 and 121 respectively. Note that the bedroom 114 projects outwardly beyond bedroom 116 and that bedroom 121 is provided with a balcony 122.

It will be appreciated that the previously describe four bedroom unit U9 is formed primarily utilizing Ts and modified TS and that each of the other apartment units in building 100 is similarly formed but with Ts and modified Ts suitably altered for adaptation to the particular design of that apartment unit. The ensuing description will indicate the manner in which the T's are formed with respect to the particular apartment unit U9.

Referring to FIG. 12, it will be noted that outside corridors are provided at and for access to the apartment units. Corridor 120 lies in rank R1 at level 3 and corridor 130 lies in rank R2 at level 8, each corridor extending the full length of the building along a side thereof. It is a feature of the present splitlevel construction hereof that the corridors need notlie at every level along either or both sides of the building. In accord with a particular building design, the corridors may be vertically spaced multiple stories one from the other with a single corridor serving units at two or more levels. It will be appreciated that stair towers or elevator towers or both can be provided at one or both ends of the building to serve as a means of communicating between level L1 and the various corridors. Also, the building structure illustrated in FIG. 12 may comprise additional levels, depending upon the particular design and is not limited to the ten levels herein illustrated.

U9 form cells of various other apartment units, or ex- 

1. A building construction for human occupancy having a plurality of functional units comprised of internal cells with each cell including at least a floor, a ceiling, and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls comprising, first, second, third and fourth elements forming portions of said cells, each of said first and third elements comprising an elongated generally Tshaped member having a stem and a pair of flanges extending substantially normal to said stem along opposite sides thereof, each of said second and fourth elements comprising an elongated member having a stem and at least one flange extending substantially normal to said stem along one side thereof, said first and second elements being arranged in substantially sideby-side relation with a flange on each element in opposing relationship and with the stems thereof forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of a first cell defined therebetween, said third and fourth elements being arranged in substantially side-by-side relation with a flange on each element in opposing relationship and with the stems thereof forming the generally opposite disposed side walls of a second cell defined therebetween, said first aNd second elements and said third and fourth elements being relatively arranged such that the stems of said first and third elements lie in a common plane and the stems of said second and fourth elements lie in a common plane, the stem of each said element extending substantially the entire distance between the floor and ceiling of the associated cell at least for a distance of 7 feet, means connecting the opposing flanges of said first and third elements and the opposing flanges of said second and fourth elements whereby said flanges form respective ceilings for said first and second cells, said third and fourth elements being elevated with respect to said first and second elements a distance less than the height of said stems to elevate said second cell relative to said first cell, and means providing for communication between said first and second cells.
 2. A building construction according to claim 1 including fifth and sixth elements forming portions of said cells, said fifth element comprising an elongated generally T-shaped member having a stem and a pair of flanges extending substantially normal to said stem along the opposite sides thereof, said sixth element comprising an elongated member having a stem and at least one flange extending substantially normal to said stem along one side thereof, said fifth and sixth elements being arranged in substantially side-by-side relation with a flange on each element in opposing relationship and with the stems thereof forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of a third cell defined therebetween, the stem of each said fifth and sixth element extending substantially the entire distance between the floor and ceiling of said third cell at least for a distance of 7 feet, said fifth and sixth elements being respectively superposed over said first and second elements with the stems thereof lying in the planes common to said first and third elements and said second and fourth elements respectively, means connecting the opposing flanges of said fifth and sixth elements whereby said flanges form a ceiling for said third cell, the opposing flanges of said first and second elements forming the floor for said third cell, means respectively connecting said fifth and sixth elements to said first and second elements, said fifth and sixth elements being elevated with respect to said third and fourth elements a distance less than the height of said stems to elevate said third cell relative to said second cell, and means providing for communication between said second and third cells.
 3. The building construction as defined in claim 1 including fifth and sixth elements forming portions of said cells, each of said fifth and sixth elements comprising an elongated generally T-shaped member having a stem and a pair of flanges extending substantially normal to said stem along opposite sides thereof, said first and fifth elements being arranged in substantially side-by-side relation with a flange on each element in opposing relationship and with the stems thereof forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of a third cell defined therebetween, said sixth and third elements being arranged in substantially side-by-side relation with a flange on each element in opposing relationship and with the stems thereof forming the generally opposite disposed side walls of a fourth cell defined therebetween, said fifth and sixth elements being relatively arranged such that the stems thereof lie in a common plane, the stems of said fifth and sixth elements extending substantially the entire distance between the floor and ceiling of the third and fourth cells respectively and at least for a distance of 7 feet, means connecting the opposing flanges of said fifth and first elements and the opposing flanges of said sixth and third elements whereby the respective opposing flanges form ceilings for said third and fourth cells, said sixth element being elevated with respect to said fifth element a distance less than thE height of said stems to elevate said fourth cell relative to said third cell, and means providing for communication between said third and fourth cells.
 4. The building construction as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first and third elements include a facade carrier adjacent one end thereof, said facade extending substantially normal to said stem and forming a wall portion of the building construction.
 5. The building construction according to claim 1 wherein said first and third elements are spaced endwise one from the other, said second and fourth elements being spaced endwise one from the other, a building module defining a discrete functional area within a unit and having at least a pair of walls substantially coextensive in height with the height of the stems, said module being disposed in the space defined between at least one of said first and third elements and said second and fourth elements and at an elevation corresponding to the elevation of one of said cells.
 6. The building construction according to claim 5 wherein said module comprises preformed stairs providing communication between said first and second cells.
 7. The building construction according to claim 5 wherein said module comprises a plumbing module.
 8. The building construction according to claim 3 wherein said first, second and one of said third and fourth cells form a discrete functional unit within said building construction, the other of said third and fourth cells forming a portion of another discrete functional unit in said building construction, and means providing for communication between said one cell and the first or second cell at a like elevation therewith.
 9. A building construction for human occupancy having a plurality of functional units comprised of internal cells with each cell including a floor, a ceiling, and a pair of oppositely disposed side walls comprising, a plurality of elements forming portions of said cells, each of said elements comprising an elongated generally T-shaped member having a stem and a pair of flanges extending substantially normal to said stem along opposite sides thereof, a portion of said elements being superposed one over the other with their stems in substantial vertical alignment one with the other to form first and second columns of elements, said first and second columns of elements lying in substantial side-by-side relation one with the other with a flange of each element in each column in opposing relationship with a flange of an element of the other column at a like elevation, the stems of the laterally adjacent elements forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of a cell defined therebetween at each elevation with the superposed cells defining a first rank thereof, said stems extending substantially between the floor and ceiling of each cell with the opposed flanges of said elements forming a common floor and ceiling between superposed cells, a portion of said elements being superposed one over the other with their stems in substantial vertical alignment one with the other to form third and fourth columns of elements, said third and fourth columns of elements lying in substantial side-by-side relation one with the other with a flange of each element in each column in opposing relationship with a flange of an element of the other column at a like elevation, the stems of the laterally adjacent elements of said third and fourth columns forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of cells defined therebetween with the superposed cells defining a second rank thereof, said stems of said third and fourth columns of elements extending substantially between the floor and ceiling of each cell of said second rank with the opposed flanges of said elements forming a common floor and ceiling between superposed cells of said second rank, the elements comprising said first and third columns being relatively arranged such that the stems thereof lie in a common plane whereby said first and third columns form A first file of elements, the elements comprising the second and fourth columns being relatively arranged such that the stems thereof lie in a common plane spaced from said first mentioned plane whereby said second and fourth columns form a second file of elements, the elements of said first rank being elevated with respect to the elements of said second rank a distance less than the height of said stems to elevate the cells of said first rank relative to the cells of said second rank, and means providing for communication between predetermined cells of said first and second ranks.
 10. A building construction according to claim 9 wherein one of the units forming a portion of the building construction comprises cells of said first and second ranks.
 11. A building construction according to claim 9 wherein portions of said elements are superposed one over the other with their stems in vertical alignment one with the other to form fifth and sixth columns of elements, said fifth column of elements being disposed in substantial side-by-side relation with said second column of elements, a flange of each element in each of said fifth and second columns lying in opposing relationship with a flange of an elements of the other of said fifth and second columns at a like elevation, the stems of the laterally adjacent elements of said fifth and second columns forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of a cell defined therebetween and at each elevation with the superposed cells lying in said first rank thereof, the stems of the elements comprising said fifth and second columns extending substantially between the floor and ceiling of each cell defined thereby with the opposed flanges of said elements forming a common floor and ceiling between superposed cells, said sixth column of elements being disposed in substantial side-by-side relation with said fourth column of elements, a flange of each element in each of said sixth and fourth columns lying in opposing relationship with a flange of an element of the other of said sixth and fourth columns at a like elevation, the stems of the laterally adjacent elements of said sixth and fourth columns forming the generally oppositely disposed side walls of a cell defined therebetween and at each elevation with the superposed cells lying in said second rank thereof, said stems of the elements comprising said sixth and fourth columns extending substantially between the floor and ceiling of each cell defined thereby with the opposed flanges of said elements forming a common floor and ceiling between superposed cells, the elements comprising said fifth and sixth columns being relatively arranged such that the stems thereof lie in a common plane whereby said fifth and sixth columns form a third file of elements.
 12. A building construction according to claim 11 wherein one of the units forming a portion of the building construction comprises cells of said first and second ranks formed by said first and second files of elements and an additional cell in one of said first and second ranks at a like elevation as one of said cells of said first and second ranks.
 13. A building construction according to claim 11 including a pair of corridors disposed along the outside of one of said ranks of elements for access to the cells thereof, said pair of access corridors being spaced one from the other a distance greater than the height of the stems of the T''s.
 14. The building construction according to claim 13 including a corridor along the outside of the other of the ranks, said latter corridor lying at an elevation intermediate the elevation of said first pair of corridors.
 15. A building construction according to claim 10 including a corridor for access to the cells, said corridor being located at an elevation for entry into one of the cells of said first and second ranks.
 16. A building construction according to claim 15 wherein said corridor is located at an elevation providing access into one of the cells forming said one unIt with the remaining cells thereof being at a like or a higher elevation.
 17. A building construction according to claim 15 wherein said corridor is located at an elevation providing access into one of the cells forming said one unit with the remaining cells thereof being at a like or lower elevation. 